PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS by DIRE STRAITS & MARK KNOPFLER has sold 1,865,000 copies in 12 countries. The album sold best in United Kingdom (1,200,000 copies), Germany (200,000 copies) and Spain (80,000 copies).
PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
70,000 | 1x Platinum |
Australia Sales: 70,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Belgium |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 2012 |
Belgium Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2012
|
 Denmark |
40,000 | 1x Platinum | 2005 |
Denmark Sales: 40,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2005
|
 Germany |
200,000 | 1x Platinum | March 2023 |
Germany Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: March 2023
|
 Ireland |
30,000 | 2x Platinum | 2005 |
Ireland Sales: 30,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2005
|
 Italy |
50,000 | 1x Platinum (Sales since 2009) | 2017 |
Italy Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum (Sales since 2009)
Certification Date / sales as of: 2017
|
 New Zealand |
75,000 | 5x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 75,000
Certification / note: 5x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Poland |
20,000 | 1x Platinum | 1 August, 2018 |
Poland Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1 August, 2018
|
 Portugal |
20,000 | 1x Platinum |
Portugal Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Spain |
80,000 | 1x Platinum | 2006 |
Spain Sales: 80,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2006
|
 Sweden |
30,000 | 1x Gold | 6 December, 2005 |
Sweden Sales: 30,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 6 December, 2005
|
 United Kingdom |
1,200,000 | 4x Platinum | 07 April, 2023 |
United Kingdom Sales: 1,200,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 07 April, 2023
|
 Europe (IFPI) |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 2007 |
Europe (IFPI) Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2007
|
| Total sales | 1,865,000 | (in 12 countries) |
Total
Sales: 1,865,000
(in 12 countries)
|
Year-end chart performance for PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS
| Chart 2005 | Rank | Sales |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) |
94 | |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) |
24 | |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) |
82 | |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) |
48 | >30,000 |
| UK Artist Albums |
87 | 215,000 |
| Chart 2006 | Rank | Sales |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) |
81 | |
| Chart 2010 | Rank | Sales |
 Russian Vinyl Albums (2M Online) |
3 | |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) |
83 | |
| UK Albums (Charts Plus) |
173 | |
| Chart 2011 | Rank | Sales |
| Russian Vinyl Albums (2M Online) |
3 | |
| UK Albums (Charts Plus) |
159 | |
| Chart 2012 | Rank | Sales |
| Russian Vinyl Albums (2M Online) |
2 | |
| UK Albums (Charts Plus) |
181 | |
| Chart 2013 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums (Charts Plus) |
200 | |
| Chart 2016 | Rank | Sales |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) |
81 | |
| Chart 2019 | Rank | Sales |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) |
140 |